According to The Nation, Rivers State elders and leaders of different political persuasions have banded together to warn Governor Siminalayi Fubara against tampering with the buildings in the House of Assembly quarters on Aba Road in Port Harcourt. CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
Their intervention follows speculations of potential renovations to the estate, which currently houses the legislative chamber of the Martins Amaewhule-led House of Assembly.
During a surprise visit to the quarters on Sunday, May 12, the elders, including past and present members of the National Assembly, local government chairmen, and opinion leaders, expressed their concerns over the governor’s recent visit to the facility and the possibility of structural alterations.
Accompanied by other stakeholders, the leaders were welcomed by Amaewhule and other lawmakers, who provided them with a tour of the complex, including the structures and the auditorium serving as the chamber for the lawmakers.
Amaewhule raised alarm over a purported plan by the governor to demolish the structures, drawing parallels with the governor’s previous action of demolishing the House of Assembly Complex along Moacow Road to prevent legislative sittings. He emphasized that the current structures were in excellent condition, fully operational, and currently occupied by lawmakers and their families.
Furthermore, Amaewhule condemned the governor’s alleged intrusion into the quarters, accusing him of breaking the gate and allowing armed personnel to enter unlawfully. He clarified that the governor was not invited and that the estate remained the property of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Amaewhule emphasized that the governor had no authority to dictate the location of legislative sittings, citing court judgments that upheld the autonomy of the assembly.
He said: “All the orders of injunction by that court are still in place. None had been vacated. The law is on the side of members. The orders of the three high courts are still in place. The duty of ascertaining whether there is a problem is the duty of the assembly not the office of the governor.
“This facility belongs to the Rivers State House of Assembly and it remains so. We are not an appendage of the office of the governor. The judgement of Justice Omotosho bars him from interfering with our affairs. The judgement says don’t interfere with anything concerning us. It is in continuous disobedience to the order of the court that the governor broke into this place.
“The judgment also barred the other people from doing what they are currently doing. It is only the Rivers State House of Assembly Service Commission that can recruit, and discipline any staff member of the assembly. Those other people are Nollywood actors. The law is on our side. There is also a subsisting order of another court made by Justice Okoro”.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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